Marine Ecosystem Initiatives

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The Oyster Restoration Company, a shellfish grower from Scotland's west coast, is enhancing marine ecosystem restoration through a partnership with Mossy Earth, an environmental organization. Through its 'Donate and Collaborate Initiative,' The Oyster Restoration Company will contribute juvenile native oysters, or 'spat,' to Mossy Earth's Cromarty Firth project in Scotland, where efforts are underway to revive native oyster habitats and support surrounding seagrass meadows.

Initially, the oyster spat will be grown in floating baskets before being transferred to locations for reef formation. Consequently, native oysters play an essential role in marine health by naturally filtering water and creating habitats that sustain diverse marine life. However, "native oyster populations have declined by over 95% due to factors like overfishing and habitat loss." As a result, Mossy Earth's 'Cromarty Seascape' project "aims to reverse these losses by restoring oyster populations and supporting local biodiversity, ultimately contributing to healthier marine environments in Scotland."

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